Understanding Roger Federer’s success

“Roger Federer is one of those rare, preternatural athletes who appear to be exempt, at least in part, from certain physical laws … a creature whose body is both flesh and, somehow, light.”

David Foster Wallace

November 2016, a sad, but inevitable day for tennis; Roger Federer is out of the top 10 ranking for the first time in 14 years, following knee surgery and continual back problems. Fast forward four months, and the Swiss has struck back with an Australian Grand Slam, and a 25th Masters title, after the 35-year-old’s success at the Indian Wells over Stan Wawrinka.

How? How has an athlete managed to remain at the pinnacle in such a demanding sport, for so long? A sport where you’re on your own, there’s no hiding, there’s no moment to take a break and rely on a teammate; it’s you and your opponent. Ok, one can point to the motivation/ luxury that $102,814,690 – and counting – in prize money that’s helped the Swiss man’s game. But, it is his own game plan which has allowed him to stay at this level.

Federer’s offensive approach, which works like clockwork on harder and faster surfaces allows him to dictate the pace; being the aggressor lets the great man be in control. The game is played at the tempo which he sees fit; a pace he can maintain through sheer class and skill.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Federer explains how his strategy in matches allows him to take the initiative; he can maintain the level as he’s rarely chasing matches. The Swiss is making the opponent do the thinking, and reacting, by constantly putting the man on the other side of the court on the back foot.

“I do believe that when you’re playing offensive you have to do less reacting. Whereas if you’re always reacting to what your opponent gives, it’s very hard.

Eventually throughout the week or throughout the year or throughout your career, if you’re always compensating and running after the ball, it’s going to catch up with you.”

Roger Federer, speaking to the Telegraph in 2014

Of course, it’s harder to be the aggressor. In any sport, a game plan is easier to execute where defence comes first. But, the longevity in such a sport has a telling factor when you compare Roger to the likes of Rafa Nadal. A natural defensive player, it’s in Rafa’s makeup to allow the other player to make the decisions, and then play on the counter when it suits the Spaniard; a master at turning defence into attack.

However, in terms of sustaining a career at the top level, this has clearly played into the hands of Roger to favour the offensive side of the game. A longer and more successful career, typified by the recent triumph over the Spaniard in the Australian Grand Slam.

The French Open is a further example of this. The slowest surface by some distance, where Rafa has won the tournament nine times to Federer’s one title. Federer can not dictate the play as much as he’d like to due to the court lacking the zip he needs to execute his plan; the Swiss man instead is forced to be the one reacting; the player chasing the game.

He’s struggled on this surface, and it’s taken its toll on him; summed up by Federer only pulling out of the tournament last year to avoid “unnecessary risk”.

Of course, the management of Federer’s diet, his professional approach to the sport, and ability to steer clear of regular major surgery has helped him maintain this astonishing level at such an age. But, it’s his aggressive and offensive game plan which allows him to do less chasing, and dictating the speed of matches to his own pace across the majority of surfaces.

Who knows how long the Swiss man can continue for, but his 2017 success suggests the tennis player who is ‘”exempt from certain physical laws” isn’t looking at hanging up his racket anytime soon.

Remarkable that Federer’s all-time career earnings are still way short of the top 30 sports teams from 2016…

Fnatic Rekkles

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Manchester City, $1.92 billion

No real shock when the club own half the Middle East.
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Hai vs Jensen

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Jankos Cover Image

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Looper

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Froggen

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Arsenal, $2.02 billion

Set to lose half of that when they try to pay these two to stay at the club.
Source: Twitter

Boston Celtics, $2.1 billion

It's a shame for a side with such a solid history, that they've only won one Championship since the turn of the 21st century.
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San Francisco Giants, $2.25 billion

The Giants rivalry with the Dodgers is the greatest in baseball of all-time.
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Team Dignitas Imaqtpie

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misfits Splyce

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Philadelphia Eagles, $2.4 billion

Quite simply, the best fans in America. They were also voted the most intimidating in NFL.
Source: Twitter

Chicago Bears, $2.45 billion

Must be annoying for Bears fans that they haven't won as many Super Bowls as the Green Bay Packers.
Yeah, we went there.
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Houston Texans, $2.5 billion

How are they this high whilst being the only NFL side to never play in a conference championship to date?
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Los Angeles Dodgers, $2.5 billion

Just the six World Series to brag about.
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New York Jets, $2.6 billion

With their horror season last year, they might not be so high in value at the end of 2017.
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Misfits vs Unicorns of Love

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San Francisco 49ers, $2.7 billion

With the 49ers name coming from the California Gold Rush in 1849, it's fitting they are in the top 10 most valuable teams.
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New York Giants, $2.8 billion

With the best wide receiver in the Draft, Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants will surely challenge for a Super Bowl title which has been missing for six years.
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Washington Redskins, $2.85 billion

Setting the highest ever attendance in the NFL shows the side's popularity. Will forever be flirting in the top 10 due to their fan base.
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Kakao

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Inferno Header

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Manchester United, $3.32 billion

How a club who have failed to reach the Champions League in two of the last three seasons can still be in the top five goes to show just how many supporters they have in the south of England.
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misfits vs uol

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Barcelona, $3.5 billion

Judging by the PSG performance, MSN will have a greater fall from grace than the messaging software itself.
Source: Twitter

Misfits stage

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Dallas Cowboys, $4 billion

Well played Big D. The first sport team to be worth $4 billion, and still without winning a Super Bowl since 1995.
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